Nurses bear brunt of Covid-19 workplace claims
Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi, said figures show that the most affected employees are nurses.
A TREND analysis by the Compensation Fund has revealed that women make up the majority of Covid-19 related claims, with the most affected workers being nurses.
This is according to claims lodged with the Compensation Fund, which indicate that more than 80 per cent of the cases received so far involve women.
In a statement on Wednesday, the the Department of Employment and Labour said the Fund has to date received 941 claims, with the highest number coming from the Western Cape, with 657 claims.
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KwaZulu-Natal has seen 98 claims, 67 of which have been accepted, five repudiated and 26 await adjudication. The total number of women who are affected in that province is 92.
To date, the Fund has paid R202 172.35 in medical aid costs.
“We are aware that our frontline workers like nurses and other medical staff have been affected by the pandemic. We would like to send an appeal for employers to ensure that workers are adequately protected and are given the necessary protective gear to do their jobs. Our figures show that the most affected employees are nurses, who are paying the ultimate price so that we get a second chance to survive the pandemic,” said Labour Minister, Thulas Nxesi.
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